WILMINGTON, N.C. – Sophomore Amadeo Blasco picked up his 17th win of the season with a three-set victory at the No. 2 singles position, but Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) powerhouse UNCW earned a 5-2 win over the Longwood men's tennis team.
 
Blasco was one of two Lancers (3-3) to pick up wins, as he was joined by sophomore Jorge Godoy, who earned a straight-set victory over UNCW's Daniel Gloom at the sixth spot in the singles lineup.
 
However, UNCW was able to overcome Longwood's wins from Blasco and Godoy to earn five straight-set victories to lead the Seahawks (6-1) to their sixth consecutive win.
 
"This was a tough loss," said Longwood first-year head coach Jhonnatan Medina Alvarez.  "We were only able to win two lines, but the matches we won were matches that were well-developed and well-planned. Amadeo was losing in the first set, but he was able to turn it around against a great player. The fact that he changed his game to adapt to the other player's shows that he's getting to a place where he needs to be. All the serves and all the work he's putting in is paying off."
 
The reigning Big South Freshman of the Year, Blasco ran his record to 17-4 and 4-2 in the spring after his latest triumph came from the No. 2 position in the order in a thrilling come-from-behind fashion over UNCW's Ignasi de Rueda, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4.
 
Godoy became the fourth Lancer to capture 10 wins, as he earned his third win of the spring with a straight-set 7-6 (5), 6-3 win over Daniel Groom at the No. 6 spot in the order.
 
Entering the day with a perfect 4-0 record on the spring, Valentin Popescu got the start at the top spot in the order, falling to UNCW ace Andres Torres, 6-2, 6-0.
 
"We need to have self-respect and passion and the desire to conquer a match, not just sit back and wait for your opponent to make mistakes," Medina Alvarez said. "I think we're struggling with that, and we need to change that part of our culture. I don't mind losing because it's part of the game. The biggest thing I want from my guys is to give it their all and leave it all out on the court. I want them to be proud to wear a Longwood jersey regardless of the outcome. I want them to try new things, to learn, to evolve."
 
Julian Farthing suffered a 6-1, 6-1 loss to Agustin Savarino at the No. 3 position, while Michael Copeland defeated Raisei Sakai on court four, 6-1, 6-2. Daniel Hernandez rounded out the Longwood scores, falling 6-0, 6-0 to Michael Morphy at the No. 5 spot.
 
UNCW claimed the doubles point, as Sakai and Hernandez dropped their match to Torres and Morphy, 6-1. Godoy and Popescu dropped a 6-4 decision to de Rueda and Calzi to clinch the doubles point for the Seahawks.
 
"I want us to play with pride, with love, with passion, regardless of the outcome," Medina Alvarez said. "I hope they see after today they see that everybody is beatable, and that's why we work so hard and prepare so hard – so we can be prepared, so we can play these matches and say we belong here. The fact we're playing a great school doesn't mean we have to lose. When you get on a tennis court, you're facing another player, not another school. It's about how to see the flaws and figuring out what kind of game you have to play. Everybody has a chance, and my team needs to know that. I hope tomorrow we can understand what we need to change and adapt."
 
Longwood returns to the courts Sunday, Feb. 25 to face former Big South rival Coastal Carolina. First serve is set for 11 a.m.
 
UNCW 5, Longwood 2
 
Singles
1. Andres Torres (UNCW) def. POPESCU, Valentin (LWUM) 6-2, 6-0
2. BLASCO, Amadeo (LWUM) def. Ignasi de Rueda (UNCW) 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
3. Agustin Savarino (UNCW) def. FARTHING, Julian (LWUM) 6-1, 6-1
4. Michael Copeland (UNCW) def. SAKAI, Raisei (LWUM) 6-1, 6-2
5. Michael Morphy (UNCW) def. HERNANDEZ, Daniel (LWUM) 6-0, 6-0
6. GODOY, Jorge (LWUM) def. Daniel Groom (UNCW) 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
 
Doubles:
1. Ignasi de Rueda/Raphael Calzi (UNCW) def. GODOY, Jorge/POPESCU, Valentin (LWUM) 6-4
2. Andres Torres/Michael Morphy (UNCW) def. SAKAI, Raisei/HERNANDEZ, Daniel (LWUM) 6-1
3. Michael Copeland/Agustin Savarino (UNCW) vs. BLASCO, Amadeo/FARTHING, Julian (LWUM) 5-4, unfinished
 
Match Notes:
Longwood 3-3
UNCW 6-1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,1,5,4,6,2)
 
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